London jazz stalwart 'excited' for first-ever Nairn performance
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A renowned pianist will play in Nairn for the first time with a special Christmas playlist to turn on the festive mood.
Bringing a special selection of Christmas classics, pianist and composer Gabriel Latchin (39) – whose base is between London and Scotland – will be performing alongside bass player Calum Gourlay and drummer Steve Brown on Sunday.
The concert at the Nairn Community and Arts Centre is the first ever visit to the town for the musician.
"I have been trying to play here for several years – so I am really excited that I can finally do it," said Gabriel.
He said he was looking forward to play in front of the crowd on the Community Centre's Steinway piano.
"It's funny, as a pianist, I have been talking to other musicians about where the great pianos are – places get a reputation – and I have heard that Nairn has a lovely piano!
"I am happy to play everywhere, but when you get a great piano, it's always a treat for sure."
On the night the audience will be treated to a selection of Christmas classics from their album I'll Be Home from Christmas – with some new additions.
Gabriel said: "I chose all these songs and then I thought how my favourite musicians might play them if they had done an arrangement of them.
"So if famous pianists like Bill Evans, Thelonious Monk or Herbie Hancock – had they played Rudolph the Red-nose Reindeer, how would they have done it? So that's the concept behind the music.
"I wanted to try something different, and do it in a different way than the arrangements we are used to, and also based on what would work for us as a trio.
"Jazz is quite a niche genre but I hope that bringing some popular Christmas songs will make it more accessible and will leave people wanting to listen to more of it."
The Gabriel Latchin Trio will be playing at 2.30pm on Sunday, December 17 at the Nairn Community and Arts Centre – tickets sell at £14 (adults) and £5 for under 18s.
